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Senate To Investigates NNPC, Others Over Breach of Federal Character Principle

by Nelson Ugwuagbo
written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

The Nigerian Senate will on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, commence investigative hearings into allegations of abuse and poor implementation of the federal character principle by several government agencies.

The hearings, aimed at promoting fairness in public sector recruitment and infrastructure distribution, will be conducted by the Senate Committee on Federal Character and Inter-Governmental Affairs, chaired by Senator Allwell Heacho Onyesoh (Rivers East). Proceedings are scheduled to take place at the Equal Opportunities Hearing Room 211, Senate Building, National Assembly Complex, Abuja.

The probe follows a motion moved in March by Senator Osita Ngwu (Enugu West), titled Urgent Need to Address Systemic Abuse and Ineffective Implementation of the Federal Character Principle, which the Senate unanimously adopted. The motion decried widespread violations of Sections 14(3) and 14(4) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which mandate equitable representation in public appointments and resource allocation.

Agencies cited in the alleged non-compliance include the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) and its subsidiaries, Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), National Pension Commission (PENCOM), and Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC).

Others named are the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), National Library of Nigeria (NLN), Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN), Solid Minerals Development Fund (SMDF), and Nigeria Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA).

In a statement on Tuesday, May 6, Senator Onyesoh confirmed that formal invitations and document requests had been sent to the affected Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs). He added that the hearings would span several weeks, with the committee expected to present its report to the Senate within three months.

The committee has also called on members of the public to submit memoranda or relevant information, either in person or via email to clerk.scfciga.ng@gmail.com, to support the investigation and promote transparency.

The hearings come amid growing public concerns over marginalization and imbalance in federal appointments, raising expectations about the government’s adherence to constitutional principles of equity and inclusion.

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Headlines

JUST-IN: VeryDarkMan Granted Bail

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

Controversial social media critic, Mr. Martins Innocent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan has been granted administrative bail by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and will be released upon perfection of his bail condition.

The anti-corruption agency also revealed that it arrested the social media personality due to several petitions received against him on allegations bordering on financial crimes.

This was disclosed on Tuesday by the EFCC on its verified Facebook page where the commission explained the reason for arresting the critic.

“The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, in the exercise of its mandate of tackling economic and financial crimes, invited Martins Innocent Otse owing to a series of petitions bordering on sundry issues of alleged financial crimes raised against him,” the EFCC said.

It further added that VDM refused to show up, in spite of several invitations sent to him through his known addresses and medium of communication.

EFCC stressed that the petitions pertain to grave allegations of financial malfeasance which cannot be ignored by the Commission.

It is needful to admit that the Commission is aware of several unguarded attacks of the suspect against its operations. While such conduct is condemnable, his arrest was not informed by such attacks. The relevant law enforcement agency will be allowed to look into them.

“The EFCC has a lawful right to hold Otse in custody like any other suspect being investigated by the Commission,” EFCC said.

In effecting the arrest and remand, the commission revealed that appropriate remand order was obtained in this regard by the commission, stressing, “He has been offered an administrative bail and would be released after fulfilling all the bail conditions.”

The Commission appreciates the interest of Nigerians in its operations, welcoming the passion, enthusiasm and torrential reactions to all of its activities.

“However, insinuations about its motive in carrying out its assignment should no longer continue. The EFCC should be allowed to do its job without fear or favour. As soon as investigations are concluded, charges will be filed,” the Commission said.

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Senate
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Senate Sets Up 18-Member Committee to Oversee Rivers Sole Administrator

by Nelson Ugwuagbo
written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

The Nigerian Senate has constituted an 18-member committee to oversee the activities of the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd.).

According to the Senate, the move aims to enhance transparency and accountability in the governance of the state.

Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, was appointed chairman of the committee. The announcement was made by Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, during Tuesday’s plenary session.

Akpabio emphasized the importance of the committee’s mandate, describing it as crucial for ensuring effective legislative oversight in Rivers State. He also noted that the committee’s composition may be reviewed following further consultations.

Members of the committee include Senators Adamu Aliero, Osita Izunaso, Osita Ngwu, Kaka Shehu, Aminu Abass, Tokunbo Abiru, Adeniyi Adebire, Sani Musa, Simon Lalong, Asuquo Ekpeyong, Adams Oshiomhole, Ireti Kingibe, Onyekachi, Idiat Adebule, Ide Dafinone, and Mohammed, along with the Clerk of the Senate.

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Obi
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Poor JAMB results reflect Nigeria’s deteriorating education sector — Peter Obi

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

Former Anambra State governor and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, has expressed deep concern over the poor performance in the recently released Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) results, calling them a reflection of Nigeria’s deteriorating education system.

According to data from the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), 1,955,069 candidates sat for the 2025 UTME. Of this number, only about 420,000 scored above 200, while over 1.5 million candidates failed to meet the 200-mark threshold — representing more than 78% of all candidates.

In a statement shared via his verified social media handle, Obi described the results as symptomatic of deep-rooted issues in the nation’s education sector, citing years of neglect and underinvestment.

“These results highlight the consequences of decades of underinvestment in education, a sector that should be central to our national development strategy,” Obi said.

He contrasted Nigeria’s education outcomes with those of other countries. While Nigeria’s total university enrollment stands at about two million students, Bangladesh’s National University alone enrolls over 3.4 million students, despite the country having only 75% of Nigeria’s population.

“Bangladesh, which once lagged behind Nigeria in virtually every measurable development index, now surpasses us in all key areas, including the Human Development Index (HDI),” he noted.

Obi also cited Turkey, with a population of around 87.7 million, and over seven million university students — more than three times Nigeria’s total.

Reaffirming his stance, Obi emphasized that education should not be viewed merely as a social service but as a strategic national investment.

“Education is the most critical driver of national development and the most powerful tool for lifting people out of poverty. If we are serious about building a prosperous, secure, and equitable Nigeria, we must invest aggressively in education at all levels,” he said.

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Wike
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FCT doctors begin 3-day strike

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

The Association of Resident Doctors in the Federal Capital Territory Administration (ARD-FCTA) has announced the commencement of a three-day warning strike, starting from Tuesday, May 6, 2025.

The doctors concluded to embark on the strike after their emergency congress meeting held on Monday in Abuja.

Briefing newsmen after the meeting, president of the association, Dr. George Ebong, said the strike became necessary as 127 health workers were sacked by the FCT Civil Service Commission last Friday without due diligence.

He described the sack as inhumane and illegal, demanding their immediate reinstatement and onward payment of their April salaries.

Also, he demanded the immediate resignation of the chairman of FCT-CSC, Mr. Emeka Ezeh.

Dr. Ebong, on behalf of the doctors, threatened that if their demands are not met by FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, and the FCT Administration within three days, they would embark on an indefinite strike and shut down the nation’s capital hospitals.

We are embarking on a three-day warning strike because most of the members were disengaged from service on Friday without due diligence. They were labelled as ghost workers, ex-employees, and absconders when, in fact, these colleagues of ours are still in the system working even until now. We are livid that the FCTA service commission will carry out such an inhuman decision without talking to the health management board, permanent secretary of health, association of resident doctors, or Medical & Dental Consultant Association of Nigeria, MDCAN. It is not just doctors that are affected—nurses, pharmacists, and lab scientists, including non-clinical workers are affected too.

“The managing directors of these hospitals are not aware. In fact, three MDs are affected.

“127 health workers are affected. If these numbers are ghost workers, so how do these hospitals operate? The hospitals would have collapsed. What is the staff strength of FCT hospitals?

“The affected health workers salaries were stopped without any prior notice. The salaries for last month. This is a clear act of insensitivity and injustice to health workers.

“We demand immediate salary payment for all the affected health workers.

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Tinubu
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Tinubu bans procurement of foreign goods produced locally

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

IN a bid to strengthen Nigeria’s domestic economy and promote local content, President Bola Tinubu has initiated a policy that bars the Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs, from procuring foreign goods or services already available locally without a written waiver from the Bureau of Public Procurement, BPP.

This is as the Federal Executive Council, FEC, on Monday, gave its approval to the new policy framework that places the country at the center of all public procurement and business activity, with a strong emphasis on empowering local industries and reducing dependency on foreign imports.

The new policy tagged the Renewed Hope Nigeria First Policy, seeks to foster a new business culture that is bold, confident, and very Nigeria.

Briefing State House correspondents at the end of the fifth cabinet meeting in 2025, presided over by President Bola Tinubu at the Council Chamber, Presidential Villa, Abuja, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, explained that the new policy is to ensure that the country promote the home grown products.

The Minister described the policy as a bold shift in the country’s economic approach.

It mirrors U.S. President Donald Trump’s “America First” doctrine.

He said: “This policy seeks to foster a new business culture that is bold, confident, and very Nigerian. It aims at making government investment directly benefit our people and industries by changing how we spend, how we procure, and how we build our economy.”

Idris said that the Attorney General of the Federation, AGF, and Minister of Justice, has been directed to draft an Executive Order to give full legal effect to the new framework.

According to him: “The Nigeria First policy is expected to become the cornerstone of the administration’s economic strategy, especially as the government pushes forward with its industrialisation agenda and import-substitution goals.”

He enumerated the decisions that were approved by the Council which will be enforced immediately

“The Bureau of Public Procurement, BPP is to revise and enforce procurement rules that prioritise Nigerian-made goods and homegrown solutions across all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

“The BPP will create a comprehensive compliance mechanism to ensure all government procurements adhere to local content requirements.

“A regularly updated database of high-quality Nigerian suppliers will be maintained by the BPP and used as a reference for all procurement decisions.

Procurement officers currently deployed to various MDAs will be reverted to the BPP to ensure compliance and reduce undue influence or corruption.

“No MDA will be allowed to procure foreign goods or services already available locally without a written waiver from the BPP.

“Where foreign contracts are unavoidable, they must include provisions for technology transfer, local production, or capacity development in Nigeria.

“All MDAs are to immediately review and resubmit their procurement plans to align with the new policy directives. Breaches will result in disciplinary action and possible cancellation of the procurement process.”

The minister cited Nigeria’s sugar industry as an example of local capacity being neglected.

He said: “We continue to import sugar despite the existence of the Nigerian Sugar Council and several local producers. This policy will change that.”

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Farotimi and Obi
Headlines

Dele Farotimi Reaffirms Support for Peter Obi Ahead of 2027 Presidential Election

by Nelson Ugwuagbo
written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

Human rights lawyer and former spokesperson of the Labour Party Presidential Campaign Council, Dele Farotimi, has restated his support for Peter Obi ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Farotimi, who was a vocal supporter of the former Anambra State governor during the 2023 polls, said he remains committed to backing Obi if he decides to contest again.

“If elections where our votes will count were held today, I would vote for Peter Gregory Obi, unless someone else comes into the race that I believe can do better,” he said.

He added that if the candidate lineup remains unchanged from the last election, Obi would remain his preferred choice.

“I hope he will be a little bolder with his policy platforms, but frankly speaking, in terms of capacity and integrity, there’s nobody else I will be supporting,” Farotimi stated.

He, however, noted that his support could change if Obi aligns with individuals he finds objectionable.

“Something drastic has to happen for me to decide I’m not supporting Peter Obi. He might team up with some objectionable persons that I cannot stomach, and that’s a real possibility. However, outside of that, there’s nobody else.”

Farotimi also expressed concern about the current state of Nigeria’s electoral process, saying discussions about future elections might be premature.

“I actually think our discussions of elections today are a disservice to ourselves because we really cannot speak in terms of an election in our current circumstances,” he said.

Farotimi attributed his continued support for Obi to a desire to see meaningful change in Nigeria’s leadership and governance.

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Jamb
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UTME 2025: Over 1.5 Million Candidates Score Below 200

by Nelson Ugwuagbo
written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has released a detailed statistical breakdown of the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) results.

According to the figures published by the board, a total of 1,955,069 candidates sat for the examination conducted across the country.

Of this number, over 1.5 million candidates scored below 200. Meanwhile, 4,756 candidates scored above 320, while 7,658 candidates scored between 300 and 319.

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Headlines

Youths Protest in Abuja, Demand Release of ‘VeryDarkMan’

by Nelson Ugwuagbo
written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

A group of youths on Monday staged a protest in Abuja, calling for the immediate release of activist and social media influencer Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM).

According to Leading Reporters, Otse was arrested in the Federal Capital Territory following his recent visit to and public criticism of Guaranty Trust Bank.

The protesters, who gathered in large numbers, carried placards with various inscriptions and chanted slogans including, “He’s not a thief, Now VDM has blocked the road, Release VDM.”

The demonstration took place at the junction leading to the headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in the Jabi area of Abuja.

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Adebayo Adelabu
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Power Minister Warns of Imminent Hike in Electricity Tariffs

by Nelson Ugwuagbo
written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has warned that Nigerians should brace for electricity tariffs that reflect the actual cost of supply, citing the unsustainability of current subsidy levels.

Speaking during a meeting with the chairmen of Nigeria’s power generating companies (Gencos) in Abuja, Adelabu said the economy could no longer support the financial burden of electricity subsidies.

“We have to understand that our economy cannot sustain subsidies indefinitely,” the minister said.

The Federal Government currently owes over N4 trillion to Gencos in unpaid subsidy-related debts.

According to the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), the average actual cost of electricity as of February stood at N116.18 per kilowatt-hour, while consumers were charged N88.2 per kilowatt-hour. The subsidy gap amounted to N27.97 per kilowatt-hour.

Currently, all customers under the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI), except the 15 percent categorized as Band A, receive some form of subsidy.

Adelabu’s spokesperson, Bolaji Tunji, said the minister emphasized the need for citizens to pay appropriate rates for electricity consumed, while assuring that the government would continue to provide targeted subsidies for vulnerable groups.

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